Spoiled By My Nine Beast Husbands (Emma Tibarn) novel Chapter 124

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 124: Rank Up**

“Whatever needs to be done, you’ll handle it.”

Lucien’s voice carried a weight of concern that Emma could feel deep in her bones. She was acutely aware of his worry, a palpable thread that connected them even in silence.

Emma was not the type to overexert herself. She cherished her body, treating it like a sacred vessel, more precious than gold or jewels.

As Lucien examined her pale complexion, a flicker of understanding passed between them. He finally nodded, a look of quiet satisfaction settling on his features.

With gentle determination, he wrapped his arm around her, providing a steadying presence as they descended the stairs together.

“Huntress, you—”

Corvin’s voice faltered, abruptly cut off as he caught a whiff of Lucien’s scent, thick and unmistakable in the air.

His eyes widened in disbelief. “Huntress, you and Prince Lucien… you bonded?”

A sinking feeling gripped his stomach. Wasn’t Edric supposed to be first in line for this? And he, Corvin, second?

At that moment, the door creaked open, revealing Edric, who stepped inside with an air of exhaustion clinging to him like a heavy cloak.

But as soon as the words left Corvin’s mouth, Edric’s demeanor shifted. He straightened, his gaze locking onto Emma and Lucien on the staircase.

“I…” Emma began, ready to explain the situation, but Lucien’s voice cut through the tension with a soothing calm.

“Emma,” he said gently, “let me speak.”

Their eyes met, and in that instant, the warmth radiating from Lucien’s gaze brought a sense of peace to her tumultuous heart. She nodded, a silent agreement to let him take the lead.

With care, Lucien guided her to the couch, ensuring she was settled comfortably before turning to face the others.

His eyes swept over each of them—Edric, Silas, Corvin—measuring their reactions.

The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically, a palpable tension hanging in the air, thick and electric.

Corvin and Edric stiffened, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.

“You… you’re Rank 11?” Corvin stammered, the words barely escaping his lips.

The last anyone had known, Lucien had been teetering on the edge of Rank 10, a position from which no one in the Empire believed he would ever ascend.

Yet here he stood, defying expectations. Only Silas maintained his composure, arms crossed, an unflappable calmness enveloping him.

Lucien’s voice was steady as he spoke, “I advanced because of Emma. I’ll explain that later.”

He paused, his expression inscrutable. “Right now, we need to discuss my bond with her.”

His gaze traversed the room, lingering on each man in turn. “The Aurelia family possesses a unique method of bonding. I’m sure you’ve heard about it.”

His eyes finally settled on Edric.

“Edric,” he said in a low, measured tone, “you’re on the brink of evolving. When that happens, Emma will need to assist you in balancing your power. But at Rank 4, she was still vulnerable. That could have been perilous.”

Lucien’s gaze softened as he looked back at Emma. “I bonded with her to make her stronger.”

Corvin slapped his forehead in frustration. “Why didn’t I think of bonding with the huntress another way sooner?”

He felt like a complete fool for not considering it earlier.

Silas, who had been watching the exchange, finally spoke up. “Because only the Aurelias and the Drakonids can achieve that kind of bond. Even if you had thought of it, it wouldn’t have changed anything.”

That bond was a gift from the Beast God, not something that could be appropriated by anyone else.

Corvin let out a quiet groan, his mood darkening.

He couldn’t bring himself to meet Lucien’s gaze. Leaning closer to Silas, he whispered, “So, does that mean we’re bound to follow whatever he commands now?”

Silas smirked, amusement dancing in his eyes. “You could always refuse.”

Corvin blinked, the thought of defiance sending a chill down his spine. He wouldn’t dare challenge Lucien.

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